fried pork with pickled mustard

How to Make Stir-Fried Pork with Preserved Vegetable (Zha Cai Chao Rou)

Stir-fried pork with preserved vegetable (Zha Cai Chao Rou) is a beloved Chinese dish, prized for its savory, umami-rich flavor and simple preparation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering this classic.

Ingredients:

- 200g pork loin or belly, thinly sliced

- 100g preserved vegetable (Zha Cai), rinsed and soaked to reduce saltiness, then chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp cooking oil

- 1 tsp soy sauce

- ½ tsp sugar (optional, to balance saltiness)

- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine (optional, for aroma)

- Green onions for garnish, sliced

Steps:

1. Prep the pork: Marinate the sliced pork with ½ tsp soy sauce, a pinch of pepper, and 1 tsp cornstarch for 10 minutes to tenderize.

2. Rinse Zha Cai: Soak the preserved vegetable in warm water for 5–10 minutes, then drain and chop to remove excess salt.

3. Stir-fry: Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant (10 seconds).

4. Cook pork: Add marinated pork and stir-fry until browned (2–3 minutes). Push pork to one side, then add Zha Cai. Toss everything together.

5. Season: Drizzle in remaining soy sauce, sugar (if using), and Shaoxing wine. Stir-fry for 1 minute until well combined.

6. Garnish and serve: Turn off heat, garnish with green onions, and serve hot with steamed rice.

This dish balances the saltiness of Zha Cai with the richness of pork, creating a quick, flavorful meal perfect for any weeknight. Enjoy!